Act
Our vibrant community of friends and supporters stands with those who face challenges by volunteering, advocating, donating and participating in events that inspire us all and sustain our cause.
Are you ready to create a better, brighter future for our disability community?
Join our network of advocates and visit our Advocacy Action Center today.
We are looking for passionate individuals who are interested in getting involved in their communities through advocacy. As an Easterseals advocate, you will engage with state and federal leaders toward 100% equity, access, and inclusion for people with disabilities.
Why Do We Advocate?
We advocate because more than 1,400,000 adults in Missouri live with a disability. This is equal to 30% of the population, or one in three adults in Missouri. Of adults with developmental disabilities, 93% are unemployed. In the United States, one in 36 children is diagnosed with autism. And all of these individuals and families face long waitlists for programs, and high turnover rates in the Direct Support Professionals workforce that supports them.
Your voice is critical to creating positive change by advocating to protect the rights of people with disabilities in our community.
What is Advocacy?
Advocacy is at the core of who we are. Together, we:
- Raise Awareness: Elevate the voice of those we support by sharing their needs, triumphs, and challenges,
- Create Change: Organize actions to create a better world for our disability community, and
- Build the Disability Rights Movement: Join with others in the disability community to create a larger impact.
We educate our elected officials about the needs of the more than 5,000 of people who turn to Easterseals each year. We give volunteers the tools to work with legislators in a personal and meaningful way so that they can share their story and create change.
People with disabilities, Direct Support Professionals, legislators, first responders, physicians, educators, families, and community members can participate in specially-designed education and outreach programs and workshops.
You play a critical role in defining and achieving our legislative objectives each year.
